With Burja Across Europe within the Erasmus+ Program

What Connects Us, from Rimske Toplice to Sremski Karlovci

Our Erasmus+ group mobility for adult learners, entitled What Connects Us, from Rimske Toplice to Sremski Karlovci, took place from 1 to 3 October 2026 in Sremski Karlovci, Serbia. It was organised by Zavod Burja and the host organisation Matea Terra Ground. Adult learners from Slovenia and local participants took part in the mobility. The programme connected active citizenship, cultural and natural heritage, sustainable tourism, inclusion through the theme of solidarity, and intercultural learning, particularly through the perspective of the cultural landscape and local climate.

We explored Sremski Karlovci as a learning environment. During fieldwork in the historic centre, we examined the significance of Branko Radičević Square, the Patriarchal Palace and Karlovci Grammar School, the oldest grammar school in Serbia. The building was designed in the Art Nouveau style and contains a historic library. The school has been operating since 1791, and its library collection comprises 18,000 books. We also visited the central Four Lions Fountain, the Chapel of Peace and other public and cultural spaces. We observed how heritage is presented to visitors, which stories shape the identity of the town and how cultural content can be made accessible to different groups. Through a dedicated workshop, we paid particular attention to the representation of different viewpoints and the risks associated with simplified or stereotypical portrayals of situations or cultures.

The theme of active citizenship was closely connected with inclusion and the understanding of diversity. For some time, we have been systematically introducing workshops on prejudice prevention and intercultural understanding into our educational programmes. The introductory experiential workshop encouraged participants to recognise first impressions, stereotypes and prejudices, as well as their influence on relationships and cooperation within a group. Through situational tasks, pair work and group discussions, both the Slovenian and local participants practised looking at situations from another person’s perspective, active listening, respectful communication and the creation of a safe environment for equal participation. While observing public spaces, we later identified visible and invisible barriers that leave some residents on the margins and explored opportunities for intercultural and intergenerational connection.

In a workshop on developing sustainable tourism based on cultural heritage, we connected local heritage with education, storytelling, tradition, local products and responsible tourism. In discussions with local stakeholders, we reflected on the roles of residents, associations, cultural institutions, tourism organisations and service providers in preserving heritage and supporting local development. We also considered how people and groups who are less frequently represented can be included in cultural and social life, including through solidarity-based intergenerational initiatives.

An important part of the programme focused on natural heritage and sustainable practices. Through examples of good green practices in the local environment, such as the Danube backwater, the EuroVelo 6 cycling route and the protected Matej natural area, which were developed or improved through European Union projects, we examined the relationship between the landscape, cultural heritage and tourism. We discussed the responsible use of local resources, local products, traditional knowledge, short supply chains and responsible visitor behaviour. We then analysed specific local examples in terms of their sustainability and their potential for transfer to our own communities. Each participant also reflected on a change they could introduce into their everyday life or work.

The methodology was based on non-formal, experiential and participatory learning. The workshops were complemented by field research and observation, discussions with local stakeholders, situational exercises, work in pairs and small groups, creative tasks, group presentations and daily reflection. We actively collected examples, asked questions, compared experiences from different environments and developed solutions together. The programme was adapted to different levels of prior knowledge and enabled all members of the group to participate actively.

Through various workshops based on participatory methods, we worked in groups to select concrete challenges faced by the local community, define objectives and target groups, identify potential partners and resources, and prepare the first steps for small-scale inclusive activities. We then connected local needs with opportunities for European cooperation and the Erasmus+ programme. In this way, we developed project-oriented thinking, initiative and the ability to transfer local ideas into a broader European context.

The final reflections, group presentations and evaluation enabled us to recognise the knowledge and competences we had acquired and connect them with our lives, work and local communities. The mobility contributed to the development of intercultural, green, civic, social, communication, project-planning and reflective competences. We deepened our understanding of the connections between heritage, sustainability and local development, strengthened our awareness of our own role in the community, and developed ideas for continued cooperation between the organisations and participants.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our hosts for their warm hospitality, excellent cooperation and inspiring programme. We look forward to continuing our collaboration through future joint initiatives and Erasmus+ projects.